Carnival Carry

[teifmen1948]

Hello all,

Well its that time of year again, the weather is getting warm so the parking lot carnival's are rolling into town. I hate these things, they always draw the seedist types, the rides are all dangrous and you spend a fortune in an hour. Too bad my little brother and neice (more the necies) dont see it that way. So tomorrow, as promissed, I have to take the little punks to this parking lot carnival in Manassas (nova). Now the spot in Manassas (234 business, anyone in the area knows and loaths it) is not the nicest area but we will be going during the day. Regardless of that, I'd like to be carrying. Have any of you ever carried while riding these carnival rides? They are no amusement park roller coasters but they still whip you around a bunch. Would I be safe with a sig 239 in a galco summer special IWB? Its a sturdy holseter and with a good belt the gun is in there and staying put. What do you guys think, bad idea? Have you done it?

Thanks.

[Wildalaska]

I can't help you, being as I am a serial projectile vomiter when confronted with a screaminspinme ride and usually avoid them therefore....

I would suggest Kydex as being a bit more waterproof in case you run into me, especially after corndogs, Budweiser and cotton candy.

Dude, check out the colours :D

WildurpAlaska ™

[Tamara]

I've never had a Summer Special turn loose of a gun on me before, and I've taken some nasty spills while wearing one, too.

[teifmen1948]

wild, thanks for the kydex suggestion. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for hurlers.

Tamara,

Same here. For what it cost me I'm suprised by the quality and sturdiness. I'll tight the belt one extra notch, it will hinder my draw and surly be painful considering all the crap I'll be shoveling into my face, but the extra security is worth it.

[KyJim]

If you have a holster for pocket carry, that would be even more secure.

[twilkin458]

While taking the all day CCW course here in my part of Texas, the former Houston police officer teaching the course was asked about CCW in "amusement parks". Texas has some specific prohibitions in this case, but as it turns out there are only a few "amusement parks" in Texas that meet the legal definiiton. Another class member in the back piped up "How about carnivals? Is as CCW prohibited in a carnival?" The former officer considered the question for a moment and then replied "For heaven's sake man it's a carnival; I'd carry TWO guns!"

[teifmen1948]

"For heaven's sake man it's a carnival; I'd carry TWO guns!"

That is the funniest thing I've read all day...

The guy is right though, between the carnies and the customers, you dont know where the threat is coming from.

[bikerbill]

Trying to decide if this is a joke ... I've never seen a parking lot carnival ride that developed enough energy to pull the wings off a fly, let alone a gun out of a holster ... if you're worried, keep your arm pressed against it on the Tilt-A-Whirl, or stand alongside and watch the kiddies lose their cotton candy and pizza lunches ...

[soldiercraig]

The carnival off 234 is pretty shifty, IWB sounds pretty good to me. I personally dont enjoy carnival rides. Any ride that is BUILT to come apart is not cool in my book.

[furyfour]

I have to agree with soldiercraig on rides that are made to come apart!!!

[dwatts47]

Just make sure the gun is firmly seated in the holster as you sit down in the ride and you should be fine.

Don Hume's IWB is alot looser than a galco and I've never had a hume let go of a Glock regardless of gun size or angle of my inversion.

[BanditSRT8]

Anything with a thumb break will work just fine.

[dave421]

Here in NC, it's illegal (can't carry anywhere that an admission is charged). With some of the rides we have here, I'd want something with a thumb break or IWB with a good belt. Either should provide a trouble free carry.

[fat old gun nut]

I would trust a IWB Galco to hold tite even if I was upside down. They make fine holsters. Wear it about 4:00 and let your lovehandles hold it like cement.

[Avenger11]

They should have locked gun boxes on those Ferris Wheels.:D:D:D

[chris in va]

Have any of you ever carried while riding these carnival rides

ABSOLUTELY. Carnivals are breeding grounds for fights and other nastiness. I know exactly where that carnival is held. Watch for MS-13, trust me.

Last year I got talked into doing the one here in Winchester. All the freaky types showed up, several fights broke out. Then there's the lovely walk in the dark back to the car behind the buildings. Yikes.

[Sigma 40 Blaster]

We had a few come to town lately...I packed my XD 45 only to get to the gate to find the dreaded 30.06 sign. No Guns Allowed...unfortunately the sign met all state requirements for being a legal no guns sign.

There was a 4-pack of cops sitting at the gates, they saw me look at the sign and the expression on my face...one of them laughed and said "yep, back to the car...". I said sure, and straight to Chuck E Cheese.

[Ifishsum]

I rode several rides last summer with a PT-140 pro in a High Noon IWB and I just kept my arm pressed down over it on the upside down ones. Never felt like it was going to get away but I didn't want to take any chances :eek:

[deputy tom]

Carnivals are run by the sleaziest groups known to man.As warned above re:gypsies,etc.We had on a few yrs ago that one employee wanted to quit and go home but was hung upside down in chains inside of a trailer before local PD rescued him.If I HAD to go to a carnival as in the OP's case,due to kid pressure,I would carry enough gear to get everyone home safe and sound.YMMV.tom.

[Harrigan]

The yearly county "fair" has a large sign at the entrance proclaiming no CCW among may other things they don't allow,while they don't pat you down at the gate if god forbid you did have to use your firearm in the course of enjoying the fair you would be charged for sure.:(

[WIN71]

You should be fine. Those rides are designed to dislodge loose change, pocket knives and wallets.

[Crestliner]

How about securing it in a "Smart Carry" or "Thunderwear" holster? Totally secure....impossible to detect...always there and available. JMO.

[Dave85]

While I have heard of the Summer Special, I can only find the Summer Comfort on their website. Are they one and the same? If so, I would personally feel better able to relax and enjoy a ride with something that has a thumb break or some such. As a matter of fact, I might not like using something that relies on snaps on the loops, as I have read at least one report (on this board, as I recall) of them unsnapping. However, I have not used such a holster, so take that for what it's worth.

Whatever rig you go with, it's a good call packing at the carnival. The twos traveling thug-fests I grew up attending both set up in very nice neighborhoods. One is on the grounds of a local Catholic prep school. And yet they still manage to suck in the most despicable, vile, and objectionable vermin imaginable. I knew the crowds had gotten too sleazy for me when I saw Sen. Carl Levin at one of them. None for me, thanks!

[Magyar]

they always draw the seedist types
I'd be more concerned with their employees...I only participate in the BB free throws, slinging quarters in the bottle, the Gong bash, and any Freak show I can find....:)

[teifmen1948]

You should be fine. Those rides are designed to dislodge loose change, pocket knives and wallets.

:D That made me laugh.


Dave85,

You are right, what I have is called the Summer Comfort

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPG3.asp?ProductID=1592&GunID=154

I ended up taking them and the holster worked great. It really might be one of the most sturdy and comfortable IWB's I've ever owned. The way it hides and carries such a large and heavy gun (at least to me) is quite impressive. Although I really like it, I am always on the look out for others. I really wanna try this Versa Max by Milt Sparks I hear so much about. Only thing stopping me, it looks like alot of leather and I cant imagine how it could be comfortable. My biggest problem with IWB is the tugging and shiftting it causes on my boxers. I imagine the Versa would be pretty bad in that catagory.

[Captain Bligh]

My town sets one up at a summer festival. We've had a shoot out or two in the parking lot of this think. Unless you have a jones on for a cotton candy or snow cone, or you are being threatened with a screaming meemy fit by a six year old, I'd steer clear. Otherwise pack and keep your head down.

[Avenger11]

Rolaids, Pepsid, and Immodium are all good carries at a Carnival!!

[teifmen1948]

Rolaids, Pepsid, and Immodium are all good carries at a Carnival!!

:D

Excellent! How could we forget. Man, that carnival food is something else. something about a fired twinkie I just can't say know to...:confused: